Saturday, March 31, 2012

SWFBUD was proud to participate in the Downtown Tampa Crit today as bike racers took to the streets of Tampa. It wass wonderful to meet some old bike friends and also meet new ones today when I chatted about the BAM Network and SWFBUD's tole.

Kudos to Karen Kress and the Tampa Downtown Partnership for putting on the race event and for drawing bicyclists to downtown.

Harsh rains struck about 2:30 PM, and I along with other exhibitors had to pack up but the races carried on and the skies eventually cleared with more spectators coming to downtown to check out the pro racers in the early evening.

Here's Chaz chatting with J. Steele Olmstead, a bicyclist-lawyer who is a SWFBUD member.

Chaz and his partner Monica talk with J. Steele. Great story about Chaz and Monica. When I worked on my first Bicycle Bash 5 1/2 years ago I met Chaz and Monica while I was biking in St. Petersburg near Witham Field with my Bicycle Bash trailer. Chaz and Monica still remember those days.

Mayor Bob Buckhorn was working the crowd and stopped by to say hi. Here's Mayor Bob with SWFBUD lawyer member J. Steele Olmstead.

Mayor Bob enjoys a photo opp with bicyclists, young and old.

Hey, who's that guy with the mayor?

A crit competitor heads out.

Michael with his helmet cam paid a visit.

Ben and Jerry took a break from their ice cream business to stop by the Crit.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

SWFBUD's three lawyers -- Tom Singletary, J. Steele Olmstead and Morgan Gaynor of the Mark Roman law Group -- will be at the SWFBUD table offering free legal advice at the Tampa Downtown Crit on Saturday March 31. The lawyers will be available from 3 pm to 7:30 pm, so swing by the SWFBUD tent at the Crit

Monday, March 19, 2012

SWFBUD is saddened to report that there were more bad bicyclist news from car-bike crashes over the weekend in the Tampa Bay area.

On late Sunday night in Seminole in Pinellas County, bicyclist Roger Hiers, 54, of Gibsonton suffered life-threatening head injuries when police said he pedaled into the path of a vehicle driven by John Collins on Park Street N., the Times said.

"Hiers appeared to have been drinking and alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, investigators said," according to the Times.

And early Sunday morning at 3:16 am on US 41 in Lutz in north Hillsborough County, a bicyclist tried to cross US 41 at Crystal Lake Road, police said. He was killed.

TBO.com did not have many details excapt to say, "A man on a bicycle tried to cross U.S. 41 and pulled in front of a northbound Ford Fusion, deputies said. The Ford struck and killed the bicyclist. The names of the victim and the driver of the Ford were not available Sunday."

In less than the last three months in Hillsborough, seven bicyclists have been killed. A common factor is bicyclists killed at night or faint light conditions.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Three University of South Florida grad students gave a fascinating presentation to the Tampa/Hillsborough Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee Wednesday evening about motorist, bicyclist and pedestrian attitudes at the USF campus.

One of the interesting conclusions is that motorists didn't like bicyclists on roads and pedestrians didn't like bicyclists on sidewalks, leaving bicyclists wondering where were they welcomed.

Of course, it spoke to the key issue of educating and training motorists to accept bicyclists as part of the traffic and users of our publoc roadways.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Mike Lasche offers a roundup of the bicycle and pedestrian scene in Tallahassee. The gist of the news is that the Florida Legislature just passed laws which:

1) Might raise money for trails by selling naming/sponsorship rights for trails.2) Repeal the requirement for cyclists to keep at least one hand on the handlebars.3) No longer restrict the cyclist to a bike lane even when it is dangerous.4) Allow cyclists to install lights instead of paying fines for not having them.5) Allow cyclists to use flashing lights at night.6) Require bicycle helmets to meet the federal standard.7) Require vehicle drivers to stop when a mobility-impaired pedestrian is in a crosswalk.

Also, motorized wheelchair users are allowed to leave the sidewalk and use the road when no other alternative route exists.

Mike said we feel that the bicycle/pedestrian news from Florida is especially important because, since 2001, Florida has either been #1 or in the top 3 among American states, in both bicycle and pedestrian fatalities per capita. Since no other state comes close to this tragic record, Florida is acknowledged as the worst state in the nation for bike/ped safety.

Thus, these legislative efforts are particularly important.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to correspond with Mike at mike@floridawalksandbikes.org

Mary Helen on her own went out and enlisted Joe Maddon and the Rays to advise bicyclists to be safe when cycling.

The local DOT safety office in Tampa wasted money on a Ybor City ad agency called Dunn and Co. to create an inflammatory campaign that scares bicyclists and pedestrians off the road and emboldens car drivers to feel they own the road. The DOT/Dunn campaign was criticized by the leaders of the Florida Bicycle Association and the League of American Bicyclists. SWFBUD also contacted the DOT to say the DOT/Dunn campaign fails to teach the public that roads are for everyone and that bicyclists and motorized vehicles must learn to properly share the public right-of-way.

Kudos to Mary Helen for approaching the Tampa Bay Rays with her Arrive Home Safe idea and the Rays for having Manager Joe Maddon participate in the PSA campaign.

SWFBUD is sorry to report yet another bicyclist death in the Tampa Bay area. A semitrailer truck killed the bicyclist on State Road 54 near the Suncoast Parkway in Odessa in south Pasco County at around 6:30 am when it's still dark outside. That's all the available details at this point.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

The Florida DOT is improving a 1.9-mile stretch of US 301/SR41 outside Tampa by expanding it from two to four lanes and adding bike lanes and sidewalks for the segment. SWFBUD appreciates bike lanes as part of this project. SWFBUD hopes bike lanes are included whenever there is road improvements or construction.

SWFBUD attended an information meeting on the project Tuesday evening.

BICYCLE BASH -- APRIL 6 Downtown Tampa

Attend the premier bike advocacy event in the southeast U.S. at Cotanchobee Park in downtown Tampa on Nov 4 from 10am-4pm

SWFBUD Supports Transformation of the Friendship TrailBridge

SWFBUD celebrated on July 27 when SWFBUD worked with a local Tampa Bay group to prompt the Hillsborough County Commission to delay the treasured Friendship TrailBridge so that we can develop a feasibility plan for a new-and-improved Friendship TrailBridge/ Click on rendering below for SWFBUD's case for a new FTB.

SWFBUD is lobbying Tampa and Hillsborough County to partner in building the BAM Network (Bicycle Area Mobility) by connecting the Tampa Bypass Canal Trail, the South Coast Greenway and the Selmon Greenway into one unified paved trail network. Click on photo for BAM story.

League of American Bicyclists Letter

The League of American Bicyclists wrote a great letter in response to the Hillsborough County bicycle safety action plan explaining that aggressive, reckless and careless driving must be addressed in addition to bicyclist education. Click the photo and read the letter.

Bicycle Safety PSA

SWFBUD Works With Hillsborough County On Bicycle Safety PSA. Click on photo for PSA.

SWFBUD Prompts Bicycle Safety Action Plan

On Oct. 1, SWFBUD Director Alan Snel met Hillsborough County Mark Sharpe to ask that a bike plan be initiated after another bicyclist was killed in Tampa. Sharpe then prompted his county commissioners to initiate the plan. The next day, Snel worked to get the Tampa City Council to join the bike action plan.

SWFBUD Bicycle Safety Poster

SWFBUD thanks Tanja for the design, Kirt for the photo and Joe for the 3feetplease yellow jerseys.

SWFBUD on Facebook

SWFBUD is an award-winning and nationally-recognized alliance of 10 Tampa Bay retail bicycle stores united to grow bicycling in this region. Click on SWFBUD logo to get to SWFBUD's new Facebook group page.

SWFBUD's Current Project

SWFBUD is partnering with local police to encourage law enforcement agencies to deploy portable electronic message signs to display bike safety messages such as "Allow 3 Feet When Passing Bikes" and "Share the Road with Bicycles." This sign was deployed by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office on Fletcher Avenue outside Tampa.

SWFBUD Project

SWFBUD sprung to action after a HART public bus nearly struck a cyclist on a Tampa street by violating the law requiring all motorists to pass a cyclist by a minimum space of at least three feet. SWFBUD appeared before the HART board and requested HART launch a sign campaign to inform motorists to pass bicyclists by a minimum distance of three feet. In response, HART buses are now displaying this sign on the back.

WHAT IS SWFBUD and HOW DID IT START?

SWFBUD (South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers) is a Tampa Bay bicycle advocacy alliance of 12 bicycle store dealers and four law firms committed to raising the profile of bicycling in the Tampa Bay market, getting more people on bicycles and drawing more public resources for bicycling.

The SWFBUD members enlist Alan Snel, a bicycle advocate and former metro newspaper reporter, to lobby local governments to provide more bicycle resources and to put on the Bicycle Bash festival.

SWFBUD is a play on words of Swiftmud, the Tampa Bay water district agency.

SWFBUD traces its roots to the summer of 2006, when then-Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium owner David Luppino (who now owns Just Ride Bicycles) hired Snel for promotions, marketing and to help put on the Bicycle Bash festival. At the start of 2007, Luppino believed it was appropriate that other Tampa Bay bike stores get involved in promoting bicycling, so Snel recruited other store dealers to get involved.

The Bicycle Bash was first held in October 2006 on the St. Pete Times Forum plaza before a Tampa Bay Lightning afternoon hockey game before SWFBUD moved the Bicycle Bash to St. Petersburg's Vinoy Park in 2007 and 2008 and to North Straub Park in downtown St. Petersburg in 2009. In 2010, the Bicycle Bash was moved into Hillsborough County's Flatwoods Park on Nov. 7 so that bicyclists can enjoy the Bash's exhibitor village and also have fun doing live biking in the park. In 2011, the Bicycle Bash will be held again at Flatwoods Park on NOV 6.

SWFBUD won national retail bicycle advocacy awards in 2009 from the Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN) and the Trek Bicycle Corporation. The Bicycle Bash won the Florida Event of the Year in 2007 from the Florida Bicycle Association.

SWFBUD's Snel attends many public meetings in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, plus the National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C. to lobby political leaders and governing agencies to commit more resources to bicycling. SWFBUD believes communities that embrace and invest in bicycling become more successful and sustainable.

SWFBUD's Bicycle Bash Video From The 2009 Event

Last year. more than 3,000 bicyclists of all backgrounds descended on the fourth Bicycle Bash festival. Click on the photo for a fun video of the event from last October.

Flatwoods Park Ranger Thanks SWFBUD For Saving Park and Jobs

In 2009, SWFBUD lobbied Hillsborough County to keep Flatwoods and all of its parks open seven days a week after a proposed budget had called for axing two days from the parks' schedule. SWFBUD worked with Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe to save the parks with a new financial program that includes new fees to keep the parks open and save rangers' jobs. Click on photo to see video of Ranger Rick of Flatwoods Park thanking SWFBUD.

SWFBUD Forging Political Alliances

SWFBUD worked with Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe to keep the county's parks open seven days a week after the county administraor proposed a budget that would close parks two days a week. "(SWFBUD) has lobbied for proper lanes and for appropriate enforcement of existing laws to improve community visibility for our fellow cyclists." -- Tampa cyclist Picot Floyd.

SWFBUD Working For Bicyclists

"Alan, I appreciate your willingness to work with us to improve officer awareness and promote bicycle safety among riders. It is our hope that the streets of Tampa will be friendlier to cyclists and ultimately safer for all." -- Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor

SWFBUD Reaching Out To Connect With Bicyclists

SWFBUD Director Alan Snel speaks about improving bicycle infrastructure to government boards and community groups. "Between the event, video, and all the articles where I see your name, you are transforming our community." -- Gena Torres, former Hillsborough Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator

SWFBUD Organizing Bicyclists To Take Political Action

At 5 PM on a summer day, SWFBUD led a bike ride of more than 30 bicyclists to a local county budget hearing to tell county commissioners to not close parks two days a week. Mariella Smith, Hillsborough County environmentalist: "Thank you, Alan, for all you do to make our community safer - and more fun - for cyclists."

SWFBUD Advising TBARTA To Include Bicycling In Light Rail

SWFBUD Director Alan Snel has appeared before the TBARTA several times to make sure the Tampa Bay regional agency includes bicycle facilities in any proposed light rail development. After one meeting, Snel shakes hands with former TBARTA Board Chairman Shelton Quarles.

SWFBUD Holding The Bicycle Bash Festival

Every year thousands of bicyclists descend on the Bicycle Bash event, held annually by SWFBUD to celebrate bicycling in Tampa Bay and to energize people to get on bikes.

SWFBUD Speaking Out At Political Meetings

"Retailers have to become political if we’re going to survive. We need to have relationships with advocacy groups and planners.” said Alan Snel, director of the South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers, an alliance of bicycle stores in the Tampa Bay area. -- Bicycle Retailer and Industry News magazine.

SWFBUD Wins National Advocacy Award From Trek Bicycle Corp. President John Burke

SWFBUD Wins National Bicycle Advocacy Award

The national magazine that covers the bicycle industry in this country honored SWFBUD with the 2009 Bicycle Retail Advocacy Award at the Bicycle Leadership Conference in Monterey, Calif. SWFBUD is deeply honored by this national recognition and I received the award from Megan Tompkins, editor of Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, and Tim Blumenthal, executive editor of Bikes Belong Coalition. Click photo for more info and check SP Times story, too: http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/article996595.ece

ABC Bicycles and Trek Bicycle Store, St. Petersburg Join SWFBUD

SWFBUD welcomes Rick Fidanzato, who owns ABC Bicycles on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg and a Trek Bicycle Store on 4th Street in St. Pete. Rick is an ardent bicycle advocate who understands that bicycling makes a community stronger and plans to conduct events that tie into St. Pete's local cultural and restaurant scenes.

Bicycle Outfitters in Seminole

Adam Beland's store is right on the Pinellas Trail and was awarded adventure bike shop of the year by the Adventure Cycling Association

Chainwheel Drive in Clearwater and Palm Harbor

Owner Tom Jessup is a board member of the National Bicycle Dealers Association and his store was recognized as one of the Top 100 Bicycle Retailers by the trade publication, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News

J. Steele Olmstead, Tampa/Sprinh HIll lawyer

J. Steele is a passionate bicyclist and lawyers who cares deeply about bicyclists' rights in Tampa Bay and Florida. His brother also owns a bicycle store in Tallahassee.

Mark Roman Law Group

The Mark Roman Law Group is in Clearwater and is SWFBUD's latest member. Law firm partners Mark Roman and Morgan Gaynor are bicyclists who support SWFBUD's mission of growing bicycling in the Tampa Bay area.

Oliver's Cycle Sports in New Tampa

Street Fit 360

Owners Jana and Andy Clark are bicycle advocates who have attended Friendship TrailBridge meetings and are happy to join forces with other Tampa Bay bicycle stores to grow bicycling in the Tampa Bay market.

Velo Champ in Seminole Heights

Thomas Singletary, Tampa lawyer

Tom Singletary is one of the biggest advicates for bicycling in the Tampa Bay region. Tom is an accomplished bicyclist and runner and legal expert on bicycle insurance and law issues. SWFBUD welcomes Tom as a member.

Trek Bicycle Store -- Tampa and Clearwater

SWFBUD is happy to report that The Trek Bicycle Store in South Tampa on MacDill Ave. and in Clearwater on US 19 have joined the SWFBUD family. Kevin McDermott is the manager of the two stores and when you visit those stores, tell them you're happy to hear they've joined SWFBUD. The stores' owner, David Sanborn, is known in Central Florida for also owning Trek stores in the Orlando area.

University Bicycle Center in Tampa

Manny Mirabal is the owner of University Bicycle Center, better known as UBC to bicylists in the Tampa area. UBC is a longtime, family-owned bike shop at 1220 E. Fletcher Avenue in Tampa north of the USF campus. Manny is also vice president of the Tampa bay Freewheelers.

SWFBUD: South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers

Alan Snel is a journalist who took 6 1/2 years off from his daily newspaper career to create a bicycle store alliance in Tampa Bay to grow bicycling as a healthy lifestyle and as an effective mode of transportation. He returned to daily newspaper journalism in Las Vegas, working as a business writer covering the business of sports and stadiums for the Las Vegas review-Journal. You can find Alan biking the hills and mountains outside Las Vegas with a camera in his jersey pocket.